HANAN HARITE

Morocco- Wafaa Bakkar is one of the Moroccan women improving themselves in art. She is also a teacher and researcher in psychology. She combines her profession with art through art therapy. She reflects the beauty of the Amazigh dresses and her cultural heritage in her artworks. We interviewed her to know more about this cultural heritage.

Apart from being an artist, you are also a researcher in psychology, a writer and a poet. Could you introduce yourselves?

I am an artist combining my profession and art through the beauty in every detail of my life. I try to combine psychology and art through art therapy techniques. I think the theory of activating a person’s own abilities through creativity paves the way for communication with oneself and others through art such as music, writing, poetry, dance, theater and painting. I practice cultural and artistic diplomacy by participating in local and international competitions and I was chosen as an international ambassador for peace and love among 700 creators around the world.”

“Every color has a meaning”

Which color is your favorite to highlight Amazigh women's issues? What is the role of art in addressing women’s issues?

I use all colors in my artworks because every color has a meaning. Every color expresses and symbolizes my feelings. For instance, I use silver because light colors increase luster and reflect other colors. Red is the color of energy, warmth and strength while green is a symbol of fertility, nature and life. Yellow is one of the vitamin colors derived from the sun's rays, which adds a lovely shine to all paintings. But my favorite color is pink because I feel it has the energy of romanticism and love, as it symbolizes femininity, kindness and childhood.

Could you talk about your exhibitions? Why do you combine beauty and heritage in your paintings?

My first exhibition was about protection of children in order to raise awareness about the dangers that children can face after the incident of the 5-year old Rayan, who passed away after being trapped in a 32-meter well for five days. I have also participated in many exhibitions to represent my country and culture. I combine aesthetics with cultural heritage in most of my paintings. They form my desire to travel through time and outside space. As a woman and an artist, my mind works hard to use the symbols of femininity in my artworks. I think we are responsible for keeping the beauties of our culture inherited from our grand and grandmothers alive.